Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) is using a foresight approach to shape science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent development policies. The goal is to strengthen the nation's capacity to handle future changes by 2040.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, as part of this effort, MOSTI organised the Malaysia Foresight Leadership Forum 2026: Anticipating Talent, Technology and National Capability Towards 2040, alongside a Town Hall Session on STEM Talent Policy Alignment. Both events ran from Aug 3 until yesterday. The forums centred on the STI Foresight Report 2025-2040: Future of STEM Talent in Malaysia - A Delphi Approach.
In a statement today, Malaysian Science and Technology Information Centre (MASTIC) director Shahrizal Shahrudin said the report offers strategic signals and an evidence base for more cohesive STEM talent planning. He noted that the study's findings examine future talent needs, skills and capabilities within the STEM ecosystem. They also look at the implications for education, training, industry and the nation's workforce planning.
"The findings highlight areas that need attention. They also show which skills are ready for upgrade and what ecosystem constraints must be addressed. However, foresight is not an exact prediction of future jobs. The real value lies in the ability of the government, industry and educational institutions to use these signals to make decisions that are more prepared, adaptive and forward-looking," he said.
He also mentioned that MASTIC is carrying out Technology Foresight: Mapping Malaysia's Future Societal Needs. Its main local strategic partner is the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), with technical collaboration from Russia's HSE University, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK). The study takes a broader perspective by identifying societal needs, emerging challenges and long-term priorities expected to shape Malaysia's future development.
The forum also saw the launch of the Malaysia Foresight Network (MFN) as a national coordination mechanism and a community of practice. The network gathers foresight focal point officers representing ministries, government agencies, research institutions, higher education institutions, industry and the innovation ecosystem. The establishment of MFN is one of the steps to strengthen the development and application of science, technology and innovation (STI) foresight.
This aligns with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021-2030 (DSTIN 2021-2030), particularly under Core 1: Responsive STI Governance. These foresight initiatives reflect MOSTI's commitment to keeping national development policies evidence-based, responsive and forward-looking. Organised by MASTIC in partnership with MIGHT, the leadership forum gathered policymakers, government officials, industry leaders, academics, researchers and foresight practitioners.